I had cucumbers and basil that I needed to use up so here’s what I made. A little while back I made this delicious Italian Style Chili Crisp. Maybe you don’t know about chili crisp but it’s very popular now. Chili crisp is this amazing condiment that adds flavors, textures, crunch, and heat to food. Anything plain can turn well seasoned and delicious….It’s like adding magic to food. The salad was pretty easy…..I used cucumbers, onions, tomato, pasta, basil and beans. I just stirred in my homemade Italian Chili Crisp to taste and a splash of vinegar and it was done and perfect. The Italian style chili crisp recipe is on The Forking Truth it’s made with Calabrian Chilies, pine nuts, capers, anchovies, thyme, oregano, sea salt, pepper, olive oil garlic and shallots. Serving size is always difficult to judge since everyone likes a different size portion and also all produce runs different in size. I don’t know if you want a small side dish or enough for a lunch. I going to guesstimate 6 servings.
Ingredients for around 6 portions
4 cucumbers (mine were on the large side) peeled, cut longways, seeds removed and sliced (however you like it sliced…I do on the thick side so it doesn’t get soggy)
4 oz pasta (I used whole grain point type pasta) boiled in salty water till done. Like one minute less than package suggest.
1 medium onion – sliced extra thin and rough chopped
2 tomatoes rough chopped or around 10oz canned tomatoes
1 cup fresh basil – either torn or chopped
15.5 oz can Low Sodium beans- rinsed three times (I used kidney beans)
Italian Chili Crisp to taste – (I didn’t measure but I think I used around a 1/2 cup) I suggest to add a few spoonfuls at a time till you think it taste right.
A good splash of white vinegar – I didn’t measure I think I used about 1/3 cup
Directions
In a large mixing bowl add the cucumbers, pasta, onion, tomatoes, basil, and beans. Mix well. Add the Italian Chili Crisp to taste. Add a few spoonfuls at a time till you think it taste right. Then give it a good splash of vinegar. Mix well.
ENJOY!!!
